Even before President Bush’s State of the Union speech put science and engineering education on the front page, the University of Virginia’s School of Engineering and Applied Science has reached out to students in middle schools and high schools around Central Virginia.

“We feel that our mission of promoting research and educating men and women to be leaders in technology and society includes a duty to reach out to younger students and invite them into the exciting world of science and engineering in which we live,” said James Aylor, dean of U.Va.’s School of Engineering and Applied Science.

Several programs conducted by U.Va.’s School of Engineering and Applied Science illustrate current efforts to build interest in careers in science, engineering and technology and could help localize an article exploring President Bush’s call for a greater emphasis on science and engineering education. Program descriptions and contact info available at www.virginia.edu/topnews/releases2006